KKR vs RR: Jos Buttler reveals how Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni inspired his 'greatest IPL innings'

KKR vs RR: Jos Buttler reveals how Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni inspired his ‘greatest IPL innings’

RR centurion Jos Buttler revealed how Indian batting greats Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni helped him carve one of the best knocks in the IPL history against KKR. Drawing from their examples of perseverance and belief, Buttler harnessed their mindset to propel himself to what he deemed his greatest IPL knock ever. Buttler hit his 7th IPL century to help RR beat KKR by two wickets at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Buttler’s hundred saw him overtake Chris Gayle in the all-time list of players with the most centuries in the IPL. “Keep believing, that was the real key today. I was struggling a bit for rhythm. At times you feel frustrated or you are questioning yourself. I tell myself it’s okay, keep going, you’ll get your rhythm back and try to stay calm. There’s been plenty of times throughout the IPL, you’ve seen crazy things happen,” Buttler said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

In the post-match presentation ceremony, Jos Buttler emphasized the importance of belief in his remarkable innings. Despite struggling for rhythm at times during the match, Buttler remained resilient, reminding himself to keep going and stay calm. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the IPL, he credited his ability to persevere through tough moments. Drawing inspiration from cricketing legends like Dhoni and Kohli, Buttler highlighted the significance of staying at the crease and maintaining belief, a lesson he learned from conversations with Sangakkara. By adhering to this mindset, Buttler not only anchored his innings but also guided his team to victory, a testament to his mental strength and determination.

“Guys like Dhoni and Kohli, the way they stay till the end and keep believing and I tried to do the same. That’s something Sangakkara has told me a lot – there’s always a breaking point. The worse thing you can do is to not fight and give your wicket away. He just tells me to stay there and at some point, the momentum will change. That’s been a big part of my play over the last few years. (Greatest IPL innings?) I would think so. Very satisfying,” Buttler added.

Jos Buttler proved his credentials as a quintessential match-winner, single-handedly dismantling the KKR at the iconic Eden Gardens. This marked Buttler’s second century of the 2024 season and seventh overall in league history. His breathtaking unbeaten knock of 107* not only propelled the Rajasthan Royals to a remarkable victory but also left the cricketing world in awe of his sheer talent. The stage was set, the pressure was palpable, and Jos Buttler rose to the occasion with utmost composure. Despite the daunting task of chasing down a target of 224 runs, he showcased nerves of steel and exhibited an extraordinary array of strokes that left the KKR bowlers clueless.

Buttler looked barely able to stand as he walked up to collect his award. That’s how he seemed in the final over too, but he managed to pull off a remarkable chase. After hitting the winning runs, he jogged to the other end and threw the bat up in the air with a beaming smile. Buttler will rightfully steal all the headlines, but one can’t help but feel for Narine as well. He played a blinder, bowled three superb overs to dent RR’s run rate, and yet ended up on the losing side. In the end, Buttler’s heroics not only secured a crucial win for the Rajasthan Royals by 2 wickets but also underscored his exceptional skill and prowess on the cricket field. As the IPL season progresses, it’s clear that Jos Buttler is a force to be reckoned with, and his performances will undoubtedly continue to captivate cricket fans.

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